. >> in better days, jackson jr. was routinely talked about as a future chicago mayor or u.s. senator making his slow and personal fall a source of major headlines. >> with breaking news, the resignation of congressman jesse jackson jr., he was once a political rising star. >> and compassion from some chicago constituents. >> it's sad. i don't think you want to see this happen to anybody. especially with his, you know, his health issues. >> he thought he represented you guys well? >> reasonably well. but if you're not able, you're not able. >> reporter: last june, jackson disappeared from congress after a series of evolving, incomplete explanations for his absence, his office revealed he was hospitalized for bipolar disorder. wednesday, jackson sent a letter of resignation to house speaker john boehner while his chief of staff delivered copies in illinois. >> can you tell us how he's doing? >> he's doing good. >> jackson wrote, my health issues and treatment regimen have become incompatible in the house of representa